A1 - Audit Reports Flashcards
What are PCAOB standards?
Public Accounting Auditing Oversight Board Auditing Standards = provide general guidance for audits of Public Companies, and it is the most authoritative guidance for an issuer.
What are ASB standards?
Accounting Standards Board = provide general guidance for audits of Non-Public Companies, and it is the most authoritative guidance for a non-issuer.
What are items that require the auditor’s attention an understanding?
When the PCAOB says that you “may”, “might”, or “could” perform a specific procedure. Auditor must exercise professional judgement in the circumstances.
What are the 3 levels of audit guidance and what is their order of hierarchy?
- SAS and PCAOB = Most authoritative.
- Interpretive Publications = Not so authoritative.
- Other Auditing Publications = Least authoritative.
What is the specific language used within the stantards to classify an auditor’s level of responsibility?
- “Must” or “is required” = indicates an unconditional requirement, which must be followed always if relevant.
- “Should” = indicates a presumptively mandatory requirement, which must followed if relevant, except when departure is permitted. Departure must be allowed and justified.
- “May”, “might”, or “could” = indicates explanatory material and does not impose a professional requirement for performance.
What is GAAS?
Generally Accepted Auditing Standards = Measures the quality of the auditor’s performance, and guide the auditor in the performance of a propertly planned and executed audit.
What is professional skepticism?
Having a “Questioning Mind”, and a “Critical Assessment” of audit evidence.
What are the basic ethical characteristics and professional qualities?
- Objectivity.
- Independence.
- Integrity.
- Impartiality.
What are the auditors responsibilities?
- Expressing an opinion on FS based on the audit.
- Maintaining professional skepticism.
- Excersing professional judgement through planning and performance of audit.
- Complying with relevant ethical requirements.
- Complying with GAAS.
- Obtaining sufficient appropriate audit evidence.
What is reasonable assurance?
A high, but not absolute, level of assurance to allow an auditor to detect a material misstatement.
How do you obtain reasonable assurance?
You must:
- Plan the work and properly supervise assistants.
- Identify and assess risks of material misstatement whether due to fraud or error.
- Determine and apply appropriate materiality levels.
- Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence.
What happens when an auditor is required to comply with auditing standards in addition to GAAS?
An additional statement would be added to the Basis for Opinion paragraph stating which sets of standards were applied.
What is the term that identifies a requirement for audit evidence?
Appropriate.
What should an auditor that is exercising Professional Skepticism do?
- Most appropriately consider the reliability of information to be used as audit .
- Should critically assess audit evidence rather than adopting an initial attitude of acceptance.
- May accept records and documents as genuine unless the auditor has reason to believe the contrary.
What should the auditor evaluate when forming an opinion?
- The FS disclose significant accounting policies (SAP).
- SAP applied are consistent with framework.
- Accounting estimates by management are reasonable.
- Info presented is relevant, reliable, comparable, and understandable (RERECU).
- FS has disclosure to explain material items.
- Terminology (wording) is appropriate.
- Structure and content is fairly presented.
- FS represent underlying transactions fairly.
When should an auditor modify the auditor’s opinion (report)?
When there is an FS issue or an Audit issue.
What is an FS issue?
When the auditor concludes that FS AS A WHOLE are materially misstated.
Auditors may use an unmodified/unqualified, qualified, or adverse opinion.
What is an Audit issue?
When the auditor is unable to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence to conclude that FS are free from material misstatement.
Auditors may use an unmodified/unqualified, qualified, or disclaimer of opinion.
What are the types of modified opinions?
- Qualified Opinion.
- Adverse Opinion.
- Disclaimer of Opinion.
What is a Qualified Opinion?
A Qualified Opinion states that, except for the matter to which the qualification related, the FS are presented fairly per the financial framework.
Everything is good except for one thing.
What is an Adverse Opinion?
An Adverse Opinion states that the FS are not presented fairly per the financial framework.
Everything is wrong.
What is a Disclaimer of Opinion?
A Disclaimer of Opinion states that the auditor has no opinion on FS.
No comment.
What does the auditor use as a reference to guide themselves on how to conduct the audit?
GAAS.
What does the auditor use as a reference to review transactions?
GAAP.
What is an Unmodified/Unqualified Opinion ?
A Unmodified/ Unqualified Opinion states that the FS are presented fairly per the financial framework in all material respects.
Everything is good.
What is the earliest date for an auditor’s report?
When there is sufficient appropriate evidence (SAE) to support the opinion.
When does the assembly of the audit file occur?
45 or 60 days after the audit report release.
What type of opinion should an auditor give when FS contain a departure from US GAAP because the FS would otherwise be misleading?
An unmodified opinion.
Where does the Critical Audit Matters (CAM) section go?
Immediately after the Basis of Opinion section.
What is a Critical Audit Matter (CAM)?
A matter that was communicated or is required to be communicated to the audit committee and involves an especially challenging judgement made by the auditor.
What information, related to a critical matter, needs to be included in an audit’s report?
- Description of the principal factors that led the auditor to determine that this was a CAM.
- A description of how the CAM was addressed in the audit.
- Reference to relevant FS accounts or disclosures that relate to the CAM.
What does the Auditor’s Responsibility paragraph contain?
The Auditor’s Responsibility paragraph explicitly represents the auditor’s responsibility to express an opinion.
What are the parts of the Audit Report?
- Title
- Addressee
- Auditor’s Opinion
- Basis for Opinion
- Substantial Doubt About Going Concern.
- Key Audit Matters.
- Management Responsibilities.
- Auditor’s Responsibilities.
- Other Info.
- Other Reporting Responsibilities.
- Signature, Address and Date.
What does an Unmodified Opinion paragraph contain?
- Identification of applicable financial framework and its origin.
- Statement that FS are presented fairly.